Total Investment Raises the 'Bar' (Coding)
The 'paperless' factory floor has moved a step closer for Liverpool-based PVC-U fabricator Total Glass following the introduction of the latest barcode scanning technology as part of more than £1 million overall investment in new CNC automated machinery.
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Ebor Sales Growth Continues
It's just two years since Ebor Equipment Ltd remodelled its warehouse to make room for new glass industry related products, consumables and accessories. This involved the introduction of a vertical storage system to handle the company's vast range of accessories, parts and consumables for the glass industry, plus the purchase of specialist handling equipment.
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Glassline Opts For Super Spacer®
Glassline, the South East based sealed unit manufacturer, has chosen Edgetech's Super Spacer as its preferred Warm Edge Technology.
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The Silence is Deafening! EN 14351 - The Standard They'd All Like You to Forget
'Much as we are fans about WER's and the benefits to all concerned, when all is said and done it is only a voluntary exercise, although it seems to be getting massive coverage across the full range of industry journals etc. What is not getting any press or industry debate is the introduction of the Harmonised European Standard EN 14351,' say the Joint Managing Directors of CENSolutions Ltd.
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Trend Shows Demand for Colour Doubling in Five Years
Demand for coloured roofline products continues to grow as homeowners, architects and specifiers continue to demand variety and uniqueness for their buildings. UK demand for coloured roofline products has doubled in the last five years to reach 17% and this trend looks set to continue in the years ahead.
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Masco Corporation Reports 2007 Results
Masco Corporation has reported that net sales from continuing operations for the year ended December 31st, 2007 declined seven percent to $11.8 billion compared with $12.7 billion for 2006. North American sales declined 12 percent and International sales increased 15 percent. In local currencies, International sales increased five percent compared with 2006.
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Newstead Books in with Major Hotel Chain
Newstead Trade Frames, the Midlands-based window and conservatory specialist has achieved a major business accolade. It has been nominated as preferred supplier of windows and conservatories to one of the UK’s leading hotel groups – De Vere Group.
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Yorkshire Windows Invests with WINMAC
Yorkshire Windows, based in Rotherham, is the region’s largest manufacturer and installer of PVC-u Windows, Doors and Conservatories. Owned by MD Mike Yarlett, the company has recently installed £500,000 of the latest Automated machinery supplied by WINMAC UK Ltd.
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National Roofing goes Local
The burgeoning replacement flat roof market continues to provide window installers, builders and roofing contractors with an opportunity to increase their turnover without compromising their core product range, and National Roofing is now making the ideal replacement material, EPDM, available more locally.
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Orion Switches to SIEGENIA-AUBI
A Devon fabricator is switching production to SIEGENIA-AUBI's Trident three-in-one window hardware system. Newton Abbott-based Orion Window Systems will use Trident to help create a future proof window system.
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Safestyle UK Secures Sponsorship with ITV
Safestyle UK, the window and door installer, has launched a major new marketing campaign, which will see the company sponsor regional programming in the ITV West Country region for the next 12 months.The deal comes as Safestyle UK continues to expand its regionalised operations and allows it to maintain an extensive media presence in what is for the company a largely untapped area.
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Schüco Expands to Meet Increased Demand for its Systems
Five years of soaring demand for all types of Schüco systems including its range of solar energy and photovoltaic products, has led to Schüco UK undertaking its biggest-ever expansion. The goal is to ensure that the quality of its service to UK customers continues to match the quality of its systems.
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Vulcan Windows Chooses Trojan
Hull-based fabricator, Vulcan Windows, has recently started using Trojan's Stallion 2 Shootbolt and says that it couldn't be happier with its choice of hardware supplier.
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Windowlink keeps Chipping Norton Glass at the Cutting Edge
Windowlink design, sales and pricing software with 3D colour graphics is keeping Chipping Norton Glass at the cutting edge of customer service. The Oxfordshire retail company recently invested in Windowlink's Vector Plus conservatory package and Focus Plus program.
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BMF Looks to Build on Success in 2008
The BMF is celebrating a year of success in the support offered to members, and is looking forward to offering an even wider array of value for money services in 2008.
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Work Stopped at Half Dundee Building Refurbishment Sites
Examples of bad and even dangerous working practices have been found by HSE inspectors during random spot checks on refurbishments sites in Dundee and Angus last week.
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Prince of Wales Rubbishes Lecture Hall Design by Patel Taylor
The Prince of Wales has returned again to architectural commentary, this time by likening a £6m building by architect Patel Taylor to a 'dustbin'. The steel-clad Ivor Crewe lecture theatre was built as an extension to the University of Essex in 2006. It is one of the largest lecture theatres in the UK.
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Glassex and GP&T See Pilkington Take a Stand
Having a huge presence at Glassex last year sponsoring the Conservatory Design Competition generated a wealth of interest in the exemplary Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass, seeing Pilkington Building Products committing to taking stand space for 2008...and this was further enhanced by the addition of the Glassex sister event GP&T into the new format.
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‘Get Real’ at Glassex 2008
Thermoseal Group urges all window companies to ‘Get Real’ and find out the true facts behind the construction of sustainable sealed units at the Glassex exhibition, 8-10 April 2008.
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Interbuild 'Empathises' with East Exhibitions
Interbuild Event Director, James Gower, empathises with organisers East Exhibitions and all those impacted by news of the Timber Show's sudden cancellation.
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Cosywarmth Windows Switch Profiles
Gwent-based manufacturer Cosywarmth Windows Ltd has announced Deceuninck as its new fabrication partner. Cosywarmth will be manufacturing the company's 2500 chamfered window system.
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Lancashire PVC-U Trade Frames Grows 25% with Spectus
In a struggling market it's unusual to find a company that keeps growing. But with a turnover of £4 million in 2007, up 25% on 2006, this is exactly what Spectus fabricator Lancashire PVC-U Trade Frames continues to do.
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Goodbye Old Standards Hello New!
EN 14351, the harmonised European Standard for windows and doors is fast approaching - are you prepared?
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INEOS Completes Purchase of Hydro Polymers from Norsk Hydro
Following clearance by the European Commission, INEOS Capital has successfully completed the purchase of the Hydro Polymers businesses in Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom from Norsk Hydro ASA.
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AWJ Glass Steps up a Gear with Super Spacer TriSeal
AWJ Glass Ltd has invested in a fully automated Lisec Super Spacer TriSeal Application Line to up its production of energy efficient glass units.
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Even More Deliveries as GAP Invests in Fleet
To ensure each of its 11 depots always have the products installers need, GAP has invested in two new articulated lorries bringing its fleet up to 62 vehicles.
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Glasstech Forms New Solar Systems Business Unit
Glasstech, Inc., the specialist in the development of glass bending and tempering equipment, has formed a new business unit to formalise its ongoing activities to meet the solar energy industry’s burgeoning demand for flat and bent glass substrates.
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Vinylmax Settles into New Plant
US PVC extrusion company Vinylmax has moved to its new facility in Hamilton, Ohio. The move adds more than 60,000 square feet of production space.
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Schüco Opens New Network Centre
Architects, contractors and fabricators working in conjunction with Schüco UK are set to benefit from a new exhibition and conference facility that the company has just opened at its Head Office in Milton Keynes.
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Weber to Build New Production Unit in Telford
Construction materials manufacturer Weber, part of the global Saint-Gobain Group, has commissioned the building of a state-of-the art production and warehouse facility in Telford,
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LBD Partnership Ltd Investigated by Trading Standards
Lead by Design, a major supplier of insulating glass units from its two factories in Witham and Dedham was recently visited by an officer from Trading Standards.
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Rossall: It's Survival of the Fittest
Gretsch-Unitas UK is predicting a tough year for the industry in 2008, as the UK economy struggles with market volatility and falling consumer confidence. But the Coventry-based firm is remaining upbeat about its chances of bucking the trend thanks to a combination of customer driven service and product innovation.
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Alcoa 2007 Revenues Highest in Company's History
Alcoa has announced that it achieved record results in revenues, income from continuing operations and cash from operations for the full year 2007. Revenues for 2007 were $30.7 billion, compared to $30.4 billion in 2006.
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Benn Announces Statutory Review of 2050 Climate Target
A review of the target to reduce the UK's CO2 emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050 will become a statutory duty under the Climate Change Bill, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said yesterday.
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LogiKal Software now on Stream for Senior Customers
Business Micros (Aluminium) Ltd is offering Senior Aluminium Systems (SAS) fabricators access to its Orgadata LogiKal software programme for the first time.
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Jeld-Wen UK Fined
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned of the danger of maintenance work being carried out on live machinery. The warning comes after a Penrith company was fined after an employee's hand was dragged into a machine, breaking two of his fingers.
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Dirty Little Secrets: Corporate Espionage
In a recent episode of the The Money Programme By Rob Lemkin about corporate espionage a builder and conservatory designer who was spied on by a larger rival lost his business and moved to Spain.
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Garden Rooms and Buildings Market - UK 2008-2012
A new AMA report provides a detailed review the growing garden rooms and buildings market. This report is the First Edition of the UK Garden Rooms and Buildings Market. The report evaluates garden buildings suitable for all year round use and are categorised by construction type - Log cabins, Modular, Timber Framed and Others.
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Our Industry Needs to put Suppliers Under the Microscope
As our industry sees yet more big-name closures, installers need to take positive measures to protect themselves. This is the alert sounded by Mark Warren of Lister Trade Frames, a company which says it is riding the storm with little sign of discomfort.
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Great Cathedrals Funded for Glass Repair
Cathedrals in Newcastle, Derby and Guildford will have their windows repaired when they share more than £2million of grant funding for 28 cathedrals across the country in a joint scheme by English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation.
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Nolan UPVC Invests with Winmac UK Ltd
Nolan UPVC Ltd , the Carmarthen based trade fabricator has recently invested over £200,000 with Winmac UK Ltd on a new Sash welding and cleaning line from Rotox.
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GAP Reports 17% Sales Growth & Extends Wirrall Branch
GAP has just released its sales figures for 2007 which show a year on year increase of 17%. In 2007 the company re-branded itself as a home improvement stockist and widened its product range with over 500 new lines to reflect a changing market and to help customers diversify into new sectors.
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Q4 Merchant Sales Figures Show Slowdown
The latest figures from the Builders Merchants Federation show that sales of building materials, when adjusted for inflation and differences in trading days, fell by 4.4% during the last three months of 2007, when compared with the same period in 2006.
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Europa Celebrates Relaunch at Building Centre
Europa Conservatories has celebrated its relaunch in style with a reception at The Building Centre in London. In front of an invited audience of trade customers, designers and architects, Europa’s founder and Managing Director Glenn Upton unveiled the company’s new look and latest product range. 
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One in Five Patio Doors Supplied by PatioMaster
Specialist patio door manufacturer PatioMaster says that it has bucked industry trends, reporting major growth to become the UK's most popular inline sliding door. Underpinned by a national network of specialist regional manufacturers coupled with the back up of a comprehensive national customer support strategy PatioMaster has built a growing reputation for quality and service.
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EYG Sets New Record in Conservatory Sales
Award-winning glazing and conservatory specialist, EYG, has announced a record year for conservatory sales. The Hull-based group sold more than 1,000 conservatories with a total value in excess of £7m during the past 12 months.
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24% December Sales Increase for TimberWindows.com
December is traditionally a dire month for home improvements as customers spend on Christmas instead. But December 2007 brought a much appreciated gift for TimberWindows.com, the internet-based engineered timber window company
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Room to Grow!
When Distinction Doors first started trading, the company was determined to offer total customer satisfaction. To that end the company invested in huge stocks of the Nan Ya composite door slab.
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Maintenance-free Celutex™ meets Torfaen's Refurbishment Needs
With sustainable and affordable social housing top of Prime Minister Brown's agenda, one Partnering arrangement between Torfaen County Borough Council in South Wales, cellular product supplier Celuform, contractors Seddons and specialist plastics distributor PBM-DQS Newport sets an encouraging example.
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Further LHC Success for Radway Creates Unique Service
Radway Door and Windows Ltd, a member of the Radway Group of Companies has announced its appointment to the LHC Timber Window and Door Arrangement with effect from February 2008. The LHC Network is the UK's largest Public Sector consortium for procurement of building components, services and contractors.
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Insight Data helps Companies Win more Business
In a consolidating or difficult market some companies opt to ‘batten down the hatches’ and ride the storm. But David Lewis, General Manager of Insight Data argues whether this is the right thing to do.
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Navigating the Storm with Compass
In today's business climate, identifying and implementing solutions for future success can be tricky. Compass Consulting Limited, has been navigating companies through challenging times for well over a decade, developing a reputation in both the building and fenestration industries.
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Ashton Industrial Celebrates 25 Years
The new 33,000 ft2 Harlow facility of Ashton Industrial will see a few corks flying this month, when 25 years of designing, developing and installing bespoke high performance glass processing machinery for clients all over the world will be heartily toasted.
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Housing 'Superagency' could mean Surge for Window Industry
'Delay, Delay, Delay' should have been Tony Blair's mantra when he was elected. Over the past 10 years decisions on housing have taken an age to reach. It may be about to change, according to Windowbase's, the prospect database provider, Commercial Manager, Damian Kemp.
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HKR Architects and Telereal Forge Ahead in the City
HKR Architects, the multi-award-winning international architecture and design practice, has been granted planning permission for Fore Street a £74 million, 13 storey, 342,000 sq ft Grade A office development for Telereal in the City of London.
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Our Industry Needs to put Suppliers Under the Microscope
As our industry sees yet more big-name closures, installers need to take positive measures to protect themselves. This is the alert sounded by Mark Warren of Lister Trade Frames, a company which says it is riding the storm with little sign of discomfort.
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Door to Site in Just Three Days
Many companies struggle to get a composite door delivered in under a fortnight. Place your order online and Synseal will deliver a Global composite door directly to site. Just three days from order. That's not all, Synseal will deliver it to site for no extra charge.
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WINMAC - ROTOX ZBZ 488 for Vision Windows
Trade PVC-u windows manufacturer, Vision Windows, continues to expand its already successful production facility. The most recent purchase includes the new ROTOX ZBZ 488 Cutting and Machining Centre that is soon due for delivery and the ROTOX SEK503 ‘X’ welder which is already installed.
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Ultra Installer Scheme Goes From Strength to Strength
Ultraframe says that its Ultra Installer Scheme continues to go from strength to strength. A positive start to the New Year has seen five new members accepted onto the elite Scheme in the last four weeks, further improving the level of Ultra Installer coverage around the UK.
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L.B. Plastics Celebrates 30 Years Stateside
UK systems company L.B. Plastics has celebrated 30 years of trading in the USA by adding a 50,000 sq ft extension to its factory to facilitate future growth of the successful business.
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GGF Launches Middle East Region
The GGF has announced the launch of the GGF Middle East region. This is marked by the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) inviting the GGF to the Working Party for drafting a single UAE standard for the glass and glazing industry.
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Warm Edge IG Production Up and Running at FGI
Float Glass Industries' investment in the latest warm edge IG production line, capable of producing some of the largest insulating glass units in the country, has been widely welcomed by the curtain walling and commercial glazing market.
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A New Company has a New Approach
Dekko Window Systems Ltd is the brainchild of Gary Torr and Kurt Greatrex. Together with fellow management team members Lorraine Wood and Tony Carolan they have around 70 years' experience in the window industry.
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BM TRADA Launches Installer Scheme for Windows and Doors
BM TRADA Certification Ltd has launched a new third-party certification Q-Mark scheme, Survey and Installation of Windows and External Doorsets, to improve the quality and consistency of installation of windows and doorsets.
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Expansion at Arla Plast
Arla Plast AB was founded in 1969 and focuses on extrusion of solid plastics sheets. Today the main products are Polycarbonate, Polyesters and ABS. The company is privately owned and is today one of Europe's leading suppliers of extruded thermoplastic sheet, exporting 80 % of its production.
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Pilkington Decides not to Appeal against European Commission Fine
Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. has confirmed that Pilkington Group Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, has decided that it will not file an appeal against the Decision by the European Commission.
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Phoenix Door Panels Gears Up with New Vans
Phoenix Door Panels, the UK privately-owned composite and PVC-U door panel manufacturer, has invested in three new Citroen Relay vans to further enhance frequency and reliability of deliveries to customers throughout the country.
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Duralite can Save 60% Labour for IG Unit Managers
IG unit makers who want to save labour have been given the green light by Tremco illbruck that has revealed that manufacturers can save up to 60% of manpower requirement, while achieving the same output.
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New e-Order Confirmation System at Thermoseal Group
Thermoseal Group has introduced a new e-order confirmation system as part of its commitment to continual improvement of its customer service offering.
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Four Seasons Roofs Quotes On-line
As a K2 Key Dealer and long established supplier of K2 conservatory Roofs and associated products, Four Seasons Roofs says that it has now created one of the simplest and fastest ways to get a roof quote on-line.
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Businessman Acquires Superior Sections
A leading West Midlands businessman has acquired Walsall based Superior Sections Ltd, a specialist manufacturer of roll-formed steel sections and profiles for the construction, PVCu window and general engineering sectors.
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Mighton Smashes Sales Record with 25% Increase in 2007
Sash hardware and window system specialist, Mighton Products, has reported a 25% boost in sales for 2007 compared to 2006. The record-breaking sales reflect Mighton's dedication to innovating in a changing market.
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'Industry First' Text Service from Martindales
An industry-first has been developed and introduced by Martindales, the UK supplier of repairs and replacement doors and windows to the insurance industry.
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Vitro Pre-releases FY2007 Results
Vitro S.A.B. de C.V. one of the world's largest producers and distributors of glass products, has pre-released its FY2007 results. Consolidated Net sales rose 6.7 percent YoY from US$2,398 million to US$2,560 million.
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